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The Hero of Station X (w/t)

This drama documentary examines the life and legacy of Alan Turing, one of the most important British scientists ever; a man who sits alongside Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin at the table of scientific greats.

A mathematical genius and supreme code-breaker, Turing has only recently come to be recognised as one of the great unsung heroes of the Second World War; many have argued that his code-breaking work at Bletchley Park shortened the war by two years. Yet instead of being celebrated, in 1952 he was convicted of "gross indecency" and chemically castrated. Two years later, Turing killed himself, aged 41.

Unashamedly homosexual at a time when it was illegal, Turing underwent psychotherapy with the analyst Dr Franz Greenbaum. At the heart of this film is a dramatisation of those therapy sessions.

The documentary also features interviews with contemporary technology and science experts who will bring Turing's exciting contributions right up to date illustrating that in many ways modern technology has only just begun to explore the potential of Turing's ideas. This film also perhaps provides the last opportunity to hear from the few people still living who actually knew him and who remember his exuberance and genius.

Past TX Information

BRITAIN'S GREATEST CODE BREAKER

13 Jan 2012, 01:30

R

S

HD

This drama documentary records the brilliance - and the destruction - of one of the 20th century's greatest minds. Alan Turing is the genius British mathematician who was instrumental in breaking the German Naval Enigma Code during World War II, arguably saving millions of lives. He was also the visionary scientist who gave birth to the computer age, pioneered artificial intelligence, and was the first to investigate the mathematical underpinnings of the living world. Turing is one of the great original thinkers of the 20th century, who foresaw the digital world in which we now live. In the eyes of many scientists today Turing sits alongside Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin at the table of scientific greats. Turing's achievements went unrecognised during his lifetime. Instead he ended up being treated as a common criminal, for being homosexual at a time when homosexual acts were a crime. In 1952, he was convicted of 'gross indecency' with another man and was forced to undergo so-called 'organo-therapy' or chemical castration. Two years later, he killed himself with cyanide, aged just 41. The film includes the testimony of people who knew and remember Turing. Plus, contemporary experts from the world of technology and high science, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, bring Turing's exciting impact up to the present day, explaining why, in many ways, modern technology has only just begun to explore the potential of Turing's ideas. Dir: Clare Beavan; Prod: Jennifer Beamish; Exec Prods: Paul Sen, Patrick Sammon; Prod Co: Furnace TV in association with Story Center Productions, LLC